FlashForward - Season One: Part One DVDReview

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The first half of season one arrives in this mostly pointless two-disc set.

By R.L. Shaffer

FlashForward, a new sci-fi series adapted from Robert J. Sawyer's novel and ushered to ABC by David Goyer (The Dark Knight) and Marc Guggenheim (Eli Stone), is primed and ready to win over your hearts and minds. We're not exactly sure if it started in the media or at the network itself, but there's a huge buzz about this show being the next Lost. Meaning that when all our spirits get crushed this upcoming May when Lost wraps up its run, we'll have this new series to latch on to – which may or may not share similar themes.

Goyer and Guggenheim insist that their baby darling is not Lost; wanting everyone to know that their intent was to not produce a carbon copy show in order to capitalize on a built-in rabid fanbase. It's noble to say all that, and perhaps even mean it, but if I were them I'd love the "from the get go" comparison to a really good show. After thinking about it for a while, it made me realize that it would be kind of like saying "this film is definitely not The Godfather: Part II." My favorite question, by far, that I heard from a reporter was when someone asked Goyer why he thought so many people asked him if his show was like Lost. It almost made sea foam come out of my ears.

The problems I have with the pilot episode, "No More Good Days," involve what happens after the worldwide blackout event that occurs. I take great issue with how the characters deal with the giant global catastrophe. For a show that wants us to focus on the ensemble cast and the character drama, perhaps even more so than the "sci-fi" world-changing incident that sets everything into motion, these characters do some incredibly dumb and boorishly unrelatable things. The first 17 minutes set up all the players just fine, and there's even a nice clever cynicism in play. I'm not invested in any of their lives, but I am interested. Then, as all of them go about their jobs, the global mind fart happens. Everyone on Earth blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and sees a glimpse of themselves on the same day, at the same time, in the future. It's an intriguing premise that certainly would warrant a return weekly visit from most viewers.

The trouble with the first episode is that it actually crams way too much into 42 minutes. The whole episode takes place on the same day as the blackout and by the time the day is done, everyone has not only figured out that they've had flash-forward visions, but that they also all take place on the same day and time. Not only has there been an FBI case opened to investigate and determine the cause of the blackout, but a Web site is being set up so that everyone in the world can log in and share their flash-forward stories. All of this – just hours after a unfathomable, horrendous event just wiped out hundreds of thousands of lives. Everyone just went back to work. An hour after the disaster happened, we watch a meeting take place where everyone just casually discusses the worst day in human events.

FlashForward is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Shot using the Panavision F35 HD Camera, the show looks incredibly sharp and detailed, with naturalistic flesh tones and colors, and perfect black levels. Annoyingly, five episodes are crammed onto one disc (there are 10 episodes total in the set). This gives way to noticeable compression artifacts and edge halos. I'm left to believe the inevitable full-season DVD and Blu-ray release will fare much better. After all, the show looks gorgeous, it's just not at its very best here.

Score: 6 out of 10

Languages and Audio

Audio choices are English Dolby Digital 5.1, with Spanish and French subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired.. This isn't a particularly robust, action-packed show. Rather, it's more of a suspense-drama filled with moments of excitement. Thus, sonics are somewhat restrained, though the show's score flows freely in all surrounds generating a fun, but creepy atmosphere.

FlashForward is a very dialogue-heavy show and thankfully the center channel comes off clean and crisp. Surround effects are expertly designed though never very aggressive. On the whole, this is a great collection of mixes that should more than please fans, at least until the high-res Blu-ray release comes around.

Score: 8 out of 10

Extras and Packaging

This two-disc DVD comes packed in a black Amaray case with a glossy slipcover. The slim collection of extras include two brief featurettes (totaling less than 12 minutes combined). The first, "Creating Catastrophe: The Effects of Global Blackout," takes a look at the film's incredible pilot episode hook. "FlashForward: A Look Ahead " is nothing more than a quick teaser for the second half of season one. ABC also packs in their usual promos and trailers.

Score: 3 out of 10

The Bottom Line

Fans of Lost and other sci-fi fare will undoubtedly enjoy what this series has to offer. Blu-ray owners should hold out for the inevitable complete season release.